SILICON SECRETS: "I always knew I'd write a novel someday," says Saratogan Catherine Burr, whose Silicon Secrets was recently released. For years Burr would jot down notes about things she'd see and hear at high-tech events she'd go to with her husband, Tim Burr, executive vice president at Accordus Inc. in San Francisco.
"I told him that no one would believe what went on behind the scenes in the high-tech world of Silicon Valley," and Silicon Secrets was the result. The novel was published by Gardenia Press of Milwaukee, a press that offers guidance to first-time authors.
The novel is described as chock full of action, suspense and romance. The new novelist was a secretary at Sacred Heart Church before quitting to write full time. Others in the Burr family are Tim Jr., a senior at UC-Davis, and Daniel, a sophomore at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Catherine's first book, Motherhood Is Not For Wimps, was co-written with her sister, Beverly Rose Hopper. Not For Wimps, a humorous, anecdotal account, was published in '96 by Walrus Productions. Burr has now been elevated to the Saratoga Authors Hall of Fame at the Book-Go-Round.
She will sign copies of Silicon Secrets at the Barnes & Noble in Campbell's Pruneyard Shopping Center on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.
EXOTIC TRIP: Very physically demanding, but well worth it, said Fred Armstrong about the fascinating trip he and wife Gladys took with six other culture mavens to Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma (now officially known as Myanmar). Intrepid traveler John Tauchi was the chief organizer of the trip.
Tauchi and wife Aiko were part of the group, as were Joan Gomersall, Ethel Worn, Sharon Blaine and Phyllis Ballingall. One of the most vivid memories was the cacophony in Saigon. There's one motorcycle for every three people. And with a population of 7 million, the noise level is not to be believed.
Saigon was lively, active, prosperous—in a word, humming. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, was more beautiful than he had expected, Mr. A. said, what with all the French architecture. Angkor Wat in Cambodia was perhaps the most impressive place visited. So many temples, what with that once being the political and spiritual capital of that part of the world. Hue, the old imperial capital of Vietnam, was fascinating, too.
Myanmar was certainly the most exotic of their destinations. Since it was off the beaten path, not many other tourists were encountered. The city of Bagan, the former religious capital of Myanmar, contains 2,000 temples and pagodas, most of which are Buddhist. Monks meditating in monasteries—a sight witnessed over and over. The Armstrongs read up on the culture before going on the trip, but there's nothing like experiencing it in person.
INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION: A new piece commissioned by the Mission Chamber Orchestra and composed by Los Gatan Craig Bohmler will be presented at the International Friendship Celebration at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose.
The celebration will feature the Mission Chamber Orchestra, the San Jose Symphonic Choir and the Cantabile Children's Chorus. The Bohmler work, titled Sisters, celebrates San Jose's diversity and its connections with its several sister cities.
Also on the program are Beethoven and Mozart. Solo violinist Pip Clarke will perform, and Emily Ray conducts. For more information about the Mission Chamber Orchestra, visit www.missionchamber.org. For tickets, write to P.O. Box 32872, San Jose, 95152.
HAKONE CLEANUP & SEMINAR: Hakone will host a two-day cleanup of the Bamboo Garden in conjunction with the American Bamboo Society (ABS). The cleanup is Feb. 8 and 9. Lunch and tools will be provided. Talks will be given by the ABS on a variety of subjects.
USE IT OR LOSE IT: As one gets older one's night vision usually diminishes and it becomes a challenge to drive at night.
One night a friend of mine was about to drive home over a route she knew well and was feeling no trepidation about her abilities. Only trouble was, she couldn't remember where her car lights were activated. She finally resorted to the owner's manual. But it took a considerable length of time because she and her passenger were laughing so hard they couldn't find the right page.
FURRY FRIENDS: Apologies to Furry Friends, the volunteer agency that takes pets to visit the elderly or infirm. I mistakenly called them Fuzzy Friends in a recent column.
LUNCHEON VIEWING VENUE: Didja know you could have lunch at Lupin Lodge Naturist Club without shedding any clothes yourself?
WHERE IS SHE NOW: Popular singer Cleo Laine lives in Saratoga, I'm told, but I've been unable to track her down. Of course, if she doesn't want to be tracked down, that's another matter and I'll respect her wishes.
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By Mary Ann Cook